Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, director of the iconic Bollywood film Sholay, has expressed hope that Kashmir will once again emerge as a major destination for filmmakers, saying he looks forward to shooting more films in the Valley.
Sippy, whose acclaimed works also include Shaan and Saagar, said he has been visiting Kashmir since 1964 and is optimistic about the return of tourism and film production to the region.
“I have been coming here since 1964, very often. In between, there were problems, so we couldn’t come. But now it has reopened, everything is fine,” Sippy said while speaking to reporters.
He said he hoped tourists and filmmakers would return to Kashmir in greater numbers, adding that government support was also encouraging the film industry to explore the Valley.
“I hope people will come, tourists will come, filmmakers will also come to shoot films just like they used to. There is also encouragement from the government. So, let’s hope for the future, even better than this,” he said.
Asked whether he had any immediate plans to shoot a film in Kashmir, Sippy said he had come to observe the current situation and hoped to begin filming in the Valley soon.
The filmmaker also expressed enthusiasm about attending the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) and watching films by emerging filmmakers.
“I look forward to watching some good films here and… to be able to say about their films that, look, these are good films. And to see other young makers receive encouragement to make good films,” he said.
Addressing criticism of contemporary Indian cinema, Sippy said the country continues to have talented filmmakers capable of producing quality films.
“I believe that even today, we have very good talent. People are making good films,” he said, citing recent work by filmmaker Imtiaz Ali as an example.
Sippy urged audiences and the industry to appreciate and encourage young filmmakers who are experimenting with new ideas and styles of storytelling.
